Respiratory Function and Walking Capacity in Multiple Sclerosis

Respiratory Function and Walking Capacity in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive neurological disease. Respiratory dysfunction due to weakness in the respiratory musculature has been described in MS. This leads to increased morbidity and mortality in late stages of the disease. It is possible that respiratory dysfunction influence physical fitness in earlier stages as well. Walking disability and fatigue causes significant impact on health in patients with MS, even in earlier stages.

The hypothesis is that there is a relationship between respiratory function, walking capacity and fatigue and that daily deep breathing exercise during two months will improve respiratory function, walking capacity and fatigue.

Presented above.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Inhabitant in Orebro county, Sweden, that are diagnosed with MS according to the revised McDonald criteria and registered in the Swedish MS-registry with EDSS (Expanded disability status scale) score in the interval ≥ 3.0 - ≤ 7.0.
• Participants must understand verbal and written information and must be relapse free ≥ 3 months prior to inclusion.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with diseases that may have influence on walking ability and respiratory function (other than MS). Such conditions include heart and lung diseases, orthopedic disorders, patients recently subjected to surgery, and non-MS related neurological dysfunction.